Gov. Snyder’s first road proposal was much better

Below is Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal made two years ago to increase gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to raise $1.2 billion to fix Michigan’s roads. It is simple and straight forward. Instead of passing this simple proposal, the Michigan Legislature, controlled by Republicans, delayed for two years while roads have continued to deteriorate.

After a two year delay, the best that our legislators could do was pass a proposal that requires voter approval to increase the state sales tax from six percent to seven percent. This proposal raises $1.9 billion - $1.2 billion for road maintenance and $700 million for special interests.

This is not what taxpayers expect from their elected representatives. They should be ashamed of themselves and resign. We need legislators that recognize what essential services are.

Michigan’s roads are in far worse shape today than they were two years ago. $1.2 billion today to fix roads is not nearly as effective as $1.2 billion would have been two years ago. That it will cost an additional $700 million for other special interests is not an acceptable price to accomplish something as simple and basic as taking care of our roads.

Snyder calls for hike in gas tax, registration fees: “If you use the roads more, you should pay more.”

Gerald Poissant

Brighton

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